Curtain Goes up as the Grass Goes Down (17/04/07)

It has been 18 months since work started on the project supported by South Bedfordshire District Council. It is the first new purpose built arts venue to open in South Bedfordshire in over 40 years.

South Bedfordshire District Council has invested in the building of Grove Theatre to encourage and support cultural and leisure activities across the district.

The new turf at the front of Grove Theatre and commercial units will be protected for the next few weeks, and watered regularly to assist it in becoming established.  It will be opened up fully in May.

The curtain will be raised at a sell out star-studded Gala show hosted by Brian Blessed.  New to the opening line up are Richard Cadell, who will be performing with Basil Brush, international singing star Tony Christie and Luton Schools Gospel Choir.

They will be joined by The Band of the Welsh Guards, singer Peter Grant and opera girl band, Milan. 

A full theatre programme will start immediately after with shows such as Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Pam Ayres, The Rat Pack From Las Vegas, Colin Fry and The Rocky Horror Show already confirmed.

People in the district have been showing massive support for Grove Theatre through ticket sales. Over 20,000 tickets have been sold to date and some shows have already sold out.

People wishing to purchase tickets for performances can now do so in person from the newly opened Box Office on the ground floor of the theatre or by phone on 01582 60 20 80 or online at www.grovetheatre.co.uk

The district’s show stopping Grove Theatre includes:

• 780 seats on two levels, of which 320 are retractable to create a flat floor space in the stalls increasing the capacity of the whole auditorium to 1,000 people,
• A stunning curved auditorium with stalls, circle and box style seating areas which creates an intimate atmosphere for performers and audience,
• A fly tower two and a half times the height of the stage opening, with a counterweight flying system. This will allow scenery to be moved vertically high above the stage,
• A large scene dock with easy access for trailers along with a loading area for 3 x 45ft trailers,
• An orchestra pit with a motorised floor, enabling technicians to lower or raise the floor to create a larger stage area, additional seating or varying sizes of pit,
• A high specification lighting and sound rig enabling the theatre to house shows from large West End musicals to concerts and dramas,
• Facilities for performers on three levels including principal and chorus dressing rooms, a green room and separate stage door access point with waiting area,
• A fully equipped function room with state of the art audiovisual equipment that can be used for conferences, meetings and receptions, and
• A commercial development of six bars and restaurants.

Additional notes:

• Work on the construction of the theatre has been completed by developer, Complex Development Projects and building contractor SDC, in the target time of 18 months.
• The theatre will be managed on behalf of South Bedfordshire District Council by specialist leisure operator, Leisure Connection Ltd